Differential locking mechanism



Dec. 19,1922. 1,439,239

M. F. HINTZE. I DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING HANISM' FILED FEB. 2.

3 SHEETS'SHEET 2 a, ELM,

- F d z J0 EL I I Z Dec. 19,1922.

M. F. HINTZE.

DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING MECHANISM.

FILED FEB 2 1922 3 SHEETS-SHEET 3 Patented it), lgii fl sirarritsv "Worries MAUARIIF. HINTZE, OF PAPEETEQI'AHITI, SOCIETY ISLANDS.

DIFFERENTIAL LOCKING MECHANISM.

Application as FebruaryZ, 1922. Serial No. 533,615.

To all/ whom it may concern: r

Be it known that I, MAUARII F. HINTZE, a

citizen of France, residing at Papeetq 'hit'i, Society Islands, have invented certain new anduseful improvements in Differen tial Locking Mechanlsm, ofwlnch the fol-.

lowing is a specification vo v This invention relates toa differentlal gear operating IIIBClliLIllSDfl;

anisni of automotive vehicles, and whereby a plurality of aXle sections may he selecordinary. differential mechanism, and wherer by certain differential gears of-said differed,

tial mechanism are selectively controlled for uniform or independent rotation.

A further oh' provision of an improved differential con trol mechanism of the above described character, which is relativelysimple inconstruction, and effective in operation. Other objects and advantages will be apparent during the course of the following p ,pmion gearsl'f inthe ordinary manner. 35

detailed description.

In the accompanyingdrawings, in which p i a headIQl upon which theloevelled teeth 20 are formed, and a rearwardly extending sleeve 22; An aperture23, is provideda'xially through the pinion 17Hand which is'opened similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a housing containing a differential mechanism and showing an improved locking means associated with'said differential ineclr anism for selective eontrolthereof.

Figure 2 1s a fragmentary plan view,

partly in section, of certain essential details of the improved differential mechanisnr Figure 3 is a cross sectional view taken through the differentiali'nechanisin and showing the essential. gearing thereof. 1

Figure 4k is a fragmentary plan view partl in section andshowing the'mechav Acas1ng30 is p nism substantially embodied in Figure 2 although in a differently adjusted position.

Figure 5 is an end view of a part of the differential casing. c, a

Figure 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 of Figures The priniary obrect of the invention is the provlsion of improved means for use in connectlon with the ordinary dlfferential mechis disposed the differential mechanism ect of the invention is the sleeve or collar 22.

Figure 7 is a cross sectional view showing certain details of a clutch mechanism used in. connection with the invention.

Figi'ire 8 is a perspective view of a differ-- ential pinion showing the novel construction thereof as designed for cooperationwith the differential locking means.

' In the draw1ngs, wherein for the purpose of illustration 1s shown preferred embodiment of my invention t-he letter'A designates an axle having the differential mechanisnrB, mounted thereon. The improved differential locking means C is adapted for use in connection with the differentialmech-y anisrn 15.; both said differential B and locking means C being contained 1n a housing D.

The vehicle axle A is of the ordinary traction type, and includes the aligning sections 10 and 11 upon theabutting ends whpgreof vThe differential mechanism B may be of any approved type, and in the present instance "includes a, spider member 15 having a plurality of arms 16 radiating therefrom, and nponfwhichoare supported differential pinions 17 of novel formation. The abutso tingendsof the axle sections, 10 and 11 are provided with the ordinary difierential gears/l8, JVlllCh are adapted for -meshing relation with the bevelled teeth 26 of the Eaclfof thedifferential pinions 17 include entirely through the pinion 17 for the reception of an'arm 16 of the spider l5 and whereby the pinion 17 is rotatablymounted upon said arm 16. "The outercollar or sleeve face of this; rejection 24 hein arcuated oo and lying flushwith'the outer surface of the 'rovided for housing the differential gearing, and includes the portions '31 and 32 adapted for respective mountingupon theaxle sections 10 and 11. lhe abutting circumferential marginal edges of the sections 31 and 32 are each provided with arcuate depressions 33 and adapted for receiving the sleeve portions 22 of the pinion gears 17 and in a manner which can readily be seen from the drawings. Bolts are provided for transverse engagement through the casing sections 31, and-32 and of course adapted for holding the differential pinions 17 in relative operating position with the axle differential gearing 18. The outer circum ferential surfaces of the sec'tions 31' and 32 he flush with each other, and at the. iuncture point. of these casing sections 3 l and $32. the projecting, portions ofthe pinions extend outwardly from the outer circuinference of the casing 30. The sectionQ-Ei is provided with certain keys 37 upon the outer circumference thereof and which .are adapt ed for receiving} portions of the locking mechanism C to be subsequently described. The outer circumference of the casing section 32 .is prov ided with certain keys 39 1 adapted for supporting the ordinary ring (Lil Cir

upon automotive vehicles.

gear .40 found as a part I of the differential The locking mechanism C includes a ring shaped clutch member 45 upon the interior circumference 46 otwhich thetransverse key ways 47 areprovided for receivingthe keys; upon the casing section 31 and which structure is providedl orc ler that the clutch member 45 may; move or slide long tudinally of the casing 30 and is prevented from relative rotation therewith.

The interior circumference 46 of themember is provided with inward polygonal shaped pockets48opening from the marginal edge 49 of the clutch member 45, said marginal edge 49 being the edge whlch directly faces the pinion 17. It should be noted that the pockets 48 only extend about one half of the width of the member and provide an interior abrupt vertical face 50. The outer circumference of the member 45 is provided with an annular groove 50, in which the fingers of the clutch yoke arms 52 extend. The yoke arms 52 are rigidly mounted for movement-with a pivot pin 53, said pivot pin having an extension arm 54 rigid therewith andwhichforms with the yokearm 52 and pin- 53la bell crank arrangement. The outer end otthe extension arm 54 has an operating rod 55 pivoted rod has a pedal 56 or other arrangement connected thereto, and which may be conveniently locatedin the-drivers compartment of the automotive .vehicleto which the im proved differential lock means is; attached. In the mounting, ofthe clutch member 45 uponthe casing 80, the keys and keyways position the same thereon as gto have a. {5:8 sitiiih h 'm ediately facing I r. time. oijhiht e2tiih'iglig'iierhnthllh echnssi ira-assi assass ns-teem shoulder or abruptsurface oil motive vehicles, the clutch member 45 will be positioned substantially as illustrated in Figure 2 and whereby the pinions 17 may rotate relative to each other upon their axes as defined by the spider arms 16, and thus permittingordinary operation of the differential mechanism. During this positioning" of the member 45, the respective depression 48 of a pinion 17 will be so positioned as to in no way interfere with rotation of said pinion upon its axis and by reason of its projection 24. In thisfineut ralposition of the clutch member 45, it is preferred that a tension spring be provided for engagement with the upper yoke arm 52, and at its other end engage through the interior of the hous automotive" vehicle is ditched and the other traction wheel is upon solid ground. During ordinary operation of thepditlerential mechanism, the wheel on solid ground would remain stationarv under actionof the differential mechanism, and the ditched wheel would merely rotate in sliding manner over the ground surface which the same is ditched. However, could the pinions 17 be locked against relative rotation, the axle sections. 10 and 11 will move uniformly and thus controlluniform'movement of the traction wheels thereon. When is desired to so lock the ditterential mechanism as to make traction wheels move uniformly the operator "E the vehicle .by depressing the pedal 50 ,so operates the control rod 55 as to rock the yoke'mechanism mounted upon the pivot pin and thus slide the clutch member upon thediffer'ential casing' 30. The member 45 by sliding relative over the casing 30 in thedirection of the pinions 17, so places the vertical 1"'ace,5O of each pocket 48 as to be positioned for engagement with the abrupt vertical faces 25 of the pinions 17 which are in. thedifi erential mechanism. It can readily be seen that when the abrupt faces .25 r of each pinion 17 contacts the each pocket 48, axial rotation of the pinions 1? will he stopped. It is at once obvious that by. stopping relative axial rotationor' the pinions l7, theaxle sections .gears are locked for uniform rotation. and thus c ompelling a uniform rotation" of the axle sections 1 0 and ll to secure thefdesired uniform move-- provided which. is simple in construction lZO tive rotation.

and which will effect an equalizing of the wheels under cerrotatably mounted and for engagement with aplurality of axle section gears, of means rigid with said pinions to project exteriorly of the outer circumference of said casing, and a clutch member longitudinally slidable over the outer circumference of said casing and locked thereto to prevent relative rotation therewith, said clutch including depressions for selective reception of said rigid projecting portion of the pinions to selectively lock said pinions against rela 2.'In a differential locking -mechanism, the combination with a differential mechanism including a casing, spider, axle sections, gears and pinions, said pinions each.

including a shank having a segmental portion projecting radially from the outer surface of said casing, and clutohmeans for selective engagement with the segmental projections of said pinions to selectively control axial rotation of the pinions.

3. In a device of the class describechthe' combination withan ordinary differential mechanism including pinions, of a shank rigid on each of said pinions and having. a portion projecting v outwardly thereon to provide anabrupt shoulder, a clutch sleeve slidably mounted on said differential mechanism and includinga plurality of recesses for reception of the projection shank portions of said pinions, each of said recesses having an internal abrupt shoulder, said clutch sleeve adapted for control to have the abrupt shoulders thereon selectively engage the abrupt shoulders of said pinions to control axial rotation of'said pinions.

t. In a differential mechanism, the combination of a plurality of axle sections. differential gears on the abutting ends of said axle sections. a spider. pinions rotatably mounted upon said spider and including shanks having segmental projecting portions upon the ends of said shanks, a differential casing for rotatably engaging the shanks .of said. pinions to -maintain said pinions in intermeshing relation with said axle differential gears and whereby the segmental projecting portions of said pinions extend exteriorly ofthe outer circumference of said differential casing, keys mounted upon the exterior surface of said differed tial casing, a clutch member longitudinally slidable over said diiferentialcasing and held against relative rotation therewith by said keys, said. clutch member having a plurality of. polygonal shaped pockets de-' pressed upon an interlor circumference thereof to'provide an abrupt shoulder in each pocket, an operating yoke for said clutch member, and means plvotally-con-v 'nected to said yoke for operating the same whereby said clutch member may be moved so that the abrupt shoulders in the pockets thereof engage the segmental projecting portions of the differential pinions to lock the same against axial rotation.

5. A differential locking mechanism comprising a plurality of axle sections having differential gears on the proximate ends thereof, a spider, bevel pinions rotatably' mounted upon said spider and including shanks having segmental projecting portions upon the ends'thereof, a casing rotatably receiving the shanks of said pinions in radial manner to have the segmental projections of said pinions extending outwardly from the outside circumferential surface of the casing, and clutch means embodying. a sleeve member slidable over the outer cir-, cumference of said casing having a plurality of abrupt surfacesthereon adapted for selective engagement with certain abrupt surfaces provided by the segmental projections of said pinion whereby the pinions may be prevented from rotating with respect to said casing in order that said axle sections will move at the same rate of speed. 6. In a chfierentlalv locking mechanism,

the combination with a plurality of axle sections, ofdifferential gears mounted on the proximately disposed ends of said axle sectionsa supporting casing embodying a pair of sections detachably assembled over the proximate ends of said sections and said differential gears, said casing sections when assembled providing radial openingsthere- 1n, a spider having radial shanks extending therefrom. into the openings of said casing,

.pinions 'of bevelled formation having sleeves axially extending therefrom and ro tatably bearing 1n the openings of said casing, said pinions having axial openings I therethrough and rotatably I receiving the shanks of said spider, each of said pinion shanks including a' segmental portion upon. the outer end thereof adapted for extension in radial manner from the outer surface of said casing. and a clutch sleeve slidable longitudinally upon the outer surface of said casing embodying a plurality of pockets having vertically disposedabrupt shoul- 1 ders inwardly thereof for cooperation against the abrupt surfaces of said segmental projections, and whereby the pinions my be maintained in a fixed relation against rotation with respect to said casing. for lock- Stiid'fiXiQ sections together for moveo ment.

7. A i an article of manufacture, a differential pinion ei'nbedying a bevelled gear portion having it shank extending outwardiy therefrom and provided with a passageway extending axmlly thereth1'0ugh,'

said shank having a concevo-oonvex portion extending outwardly on the end thereof opposite to said gear portion providing abrupt- 10 shoulders thereon onopposite sides of the passageway provided therethrough.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

MAUARII F. HINTZE. 

